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Panasonic 100-400mm vs others

Started Jan 15, 2016 | Discussions thread
Denjw
Denjw Veteran Member • Posts: 6,853
Hand held or tripod?

Surely based on the specs the Panasonic is going to be comfortably hand held? The photos and comments in the hands on preview would seem to support this.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/5337706458/hands-on-with-the-panasonic-leica-dg-vario-elmar-100-400mm-f4-6-3-lens?slide=2

http://www.dpreview.com/news/5337706458/hands-on-with-the-panasonic-leica-dg-vario-elmar-100-400mm-f4-6-3-lens?slide=3

Panasonic are certainly marketing it as a such.

Yet this comment from one of the first users of this lens in this thread

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/57099561

has me intriqued.

"All need to realize that this is a larger lens than most use. It's heavier and while it can be hand held (as I did) at least a monopod is advised. This definitely transforms your camera into a nose heavy monster."

Notwithstanding aperture range I would have assumed that most people interested in this lens would be using it hand held to shoot wildlife. With IS and or Dual IS this should be easily achieved.

Or is the issue more to do with balance when zoomed out to full focal length?

Maybe people who are interested in  the versatility/reach of this lens are going to be put off by its size/weight or find it harder to use then expected.

Those coming from a background of using larger telephotos should have no issue.

In my experience the Oly 40-150mm f2.8 + MC14 (slightly smaller/lighter) on the E-M1 is easily handheld.

As is the Oly 4/3 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 + EC20 (slightly bigger/heavier with external zoom) is easily hand held.

There are users of the larger/heavier SHG 4/3 lens such as the 300mm 2.8 who can shoot with them hand held.

Just interested to know what others think.

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